Show on map This wall-box in Wilton village has been in use for at least 120 years as it carries a “VR” Royal Cypher
VR – Queen Victoria (1853-1901)
ER VII – Edward VII (1901-1910)
GR – George V (1910-1936)
ER VIII – Edward VIII (20 January 1936 – 11 December 1936)
GR VI – George VI (1936-1952)
ER II – Elizabeth II 1952-present)
It was made by W.T. Allen & Co, who stated production in 1886, so it can only date from 1886-1901
This plate belonged to 10 ton single cylinder road roller built in 1888 which was dispatched new to Kirkleatham Urban District Council and later owned by Redcar Urban District Council.
This company advert from the same year of 1888 may give an idea of what it looked like.
The only local photo I know which features a traction engine is this one from road laying at Lazenby, so there’s a very slim chance it could be the same engine.
At some point later in its life it was sent to Bomford & Evershed who were an agricultural machinery manufacturer and contractor based in Warwickshire, they formed in 1904 so it must be after than date, it was scrapped in the late 1930s
Many thanks to Stewart Ramsdale for highlighting this item when it recently surfaced at an auction house in Evesham, Worcestershire
Show on map Worts Well served as the water source for Redcar from around 1855, it can be seen here on an 1894 map.
Records suggest 40,000 gallons a day emerge from it, but this was already insufficient for Redcar by 1895.
The spring is no longer used as a public water supply, but the cast iron pipe still remains with a large volume of water issuing forth.
